Mafia II Gets "Sophisticated" With Playboy Magazine

The headline of the press release: "2K Games Partners with Playboy magazine to bring Sophistication and Classic Imagery to Mafia II" made me chuckle, and not just because of the haphazard capitalization. No, I just like the idea of 2K games trying to justify littering their game with naked women as sophisticated.

Seriously, though, I have to say that since the period flavor was all that made Mafia II stand out from your average GTA clone when I saw it demoed at E3, this is actually kind of a clever move. It give you the T&A factor, but in a legitimate fashion. While playing Mafia II, players will be able to collect virtual copies of the magazine, which started in 1953.

"While most mob-inspired games' emphasis is solely on action, Mafia II features a deep and compelling narrative that is embellished with a sophisticated, era-evoking atmosphere," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "In partnering with Playboy, we are able to add a unique element of authenticity to the game by using vintage images from the magazine that illustrate the power of Playboy's influence on the attitudes and culture of that generation."

Since Mafia II is all about recreating the '40s and '50s, this actually kind of fits in the milieu, as it were. More than 50 vintage covers and centerfolds can be found in the game, which is due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. And honestly, there's nothing I like better than kitch like this.

"For more than 55 years, Playboy has been a part of America's pop culture landscape, engaging its readers with insightful features, interviews and fashion spreads, as well as pictorials of some of the world's most beautiful women," said Playboy magazine's Editorial Director Jimmy Jellinek. "Mafia II is set when Playboy first came into vogue and features characters whose style and attitudes mirror content from our early issues. We're excited to bring an element of authenticity to the game that is unmatched in the men's publishing category."

I just can't wait to see what they call the Achievement and Trophy you get when you collect all 50 of the magazines! Smut Peddler? Hugh Accomplishment? (as in Hefner) Bunny Hunter?